THE clock is being turned back to the 1940s for a special event at Avon Valley Railway, complete with a vintage wedding.

1940s vintage pin-up and World War II burlesque dancer Kitten Von Mew will be tying the knot with her fiancé Richard on board one of AVR's steam trains.

The couple, whose mothers both come from Bristol, are involving the public in their big day with a Blitz Ball to round off their wedding and raise money for the railway.

The 1940s event on June 2 will be celebrating the important role the railways played in the war effort as well as the wedding.

Kitten, 31, said: "The 1940s is very close to our hearts. I have been a vintage pin up for 11 years and my partner and I met at a World War II event. We love the music, the fashions and the atmosphere from that era.

"I have been collecting art deco and 1940s memorabilia for years.

"We were looking for somewhere interesting as a wedding venue and discovered Avon Valley Railway.

"When we visited, we fell in love with the station. The amount of work, love and devotion which people there have put into it is incredible."

She will be wearing a dress made by a friend as well as a vintage 1930s headdress, and her husband-to-be Richard, 52, will be wearing an original World War Two Naval suit.

The couple, who live in Stratford- upon-Avon, already have the same surname after officially changing their names to Von Mew by deed poll.

David Cole, development manager at AVR, said: "We got our licence to hold weddings shortly before Kitten called us. To have the wedding of 1940s devotees during our 1940s event will make it really magical."

The heart of Avon Valley Railway is Bitton Station an original Midland Railway station, which like the locomotives, carriages and track, has been restored by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Without the volunteers, the locomotives would not operate or be restored, tickets would not be sold and the site would not be maintained.

But thanks to them and those that visit, the railway is being restored for the delight of current and future generations.

For more information or to book tickets for the Blitz Ball call 0117 932 5538. Tickets for the ball cost £5. Numbers are limited.